How does the teaching clock work?

Drag the hands of the analog clock and the time updates live in digits and in words ('quarter past three'). The minute and hour hands move together realistically, so children see how the hour hand creeps between numbers as the minutes pass.

Quiz mode shows a random time on the clock face and offers four possible answers - tap the right one to score a point and build a streak. Difficulty levels go from o'clock and half past, through quarter hours, to five-minute and one-minute times.

What age is this clock for?

Roughly ages 5-9, matching the school years where telling time is taught: o'clock and half past first, then quarter past and to, then five-minute intervals, then minutes. The difficulty buttons follow that same progression.

Teaching Clock

Drag the hands to set the time — or switch to quiz mode and practice reading the clock.

3:00

three o'clock

How to Use the Teaching Clock

Explore mode is for showing: drag either hand (the hands move together realistically — watch the red hour hand creep as the minutes pass) and the time appears in digits and in words underneath, exactly the phrasing children learn: "half past three", "quarter to nine", "twenty-five past one". Quiz mode is for practicing: the clock shows a random time and offers four answers; difficulty runs from o'clock and half past up to one-minute precision, following the order schools teach.

Tips for Teaching Time

Start with the hour hand alone — cover the minute hand and ask "about what time is it?"
O'clock and half past first, then quarters, then five-minute counts — matching the quiz levels
Count by fives around the face to bridge from the 1-12 numbers to minutes
Use both phrasings — "3:45" and "quarter to four" — the words display always shows them together
On an interactive whiteboard, let pupils take turns dragging the hands to a time you call out

FAQ

Why do both hands move when I drag one?

That's deliberate — on a real clock the hour hand moves continuously, and seeing it sit between numbers at half past is exactly what children find hardest. Dragging the minute hand around a full circle advances the hour, just like the real thing.

Does it work on an interactive whiteboard?

Yes — the hands respond to touch and pen as well as a mouse, and the layout scales to fill big screens.

Is it free?

Completely free, no signup. Pair it with the classroom timer or the times tables for a full math corner.